Order-indicator for trainmen.



" Patented Aug. 7, 1917. 'j

M. J. SULLIVAN. ORDER INDICATOR FORTRAINMEN' "'KANsAs CITY 4 E o 7 APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3. I9|6 I/I/IIIIIIl/IIIIIIIIIIIIlI/IlllIII/IIIIII).YlIllII/I WIT/885% Q de@ M 'X l unrrnn srnrns Arnim* clarion. 7

MICHAEL `.'r. SULLIVAN, or KANSAS CITY, IvIIssoURI.

ORDERQINDICATOR FOB.V TRAINMEN.

Application filed February 3, 1916. Serial No. 76,035. i

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, MICHAEL J. SULLI- VAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county ,of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Order-Indicators for Trainmen, of which the'following is a specification. v

My invention relates tororder signals for "i trainmen, and my object is to provide a simple and inexpensive device of this character to remind the trainmen on steam and interurban electric roads of orders to be executed at and between stations, so that accidents due to overlooking written or verbal orders may be avoided.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates one embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is an elevation ot the device ready for use.

Fig. 2 is an irregular horizontal section, enlarged, on line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a broken vertical section, enlarged, on line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal section on line IV of Fig. 1.

In carrying out the invention, I employ a back plate 1, provided at its front side with a plurality of horizontal slide-ways 2, each of which is supplied with a slide 3 having an upturned end 4, whereby it may be grasped and slid from one end of its respective slideway to the other. Each slideway is reliably held in either position by a detent 5, formed therein and adapted to engage either of the recesses 6 in the back A plate 1. The list of stations and their respective distances from the starting point are inscribed on the slides 3.

Red or other colored signals 7 are painted or otherwise applied to the back'plate 1 and adapted to be covered by the slides 3 when the' same occupy their normal position, which in the present instance is at the right side of the back plate 1. When the trainmen are to execute an order, at say the station named Edgecomb the slide 3 representing said station is moved to the left side of the back plate and uncovers the underlying signal 7 Fig. 1, and acts as a reminder that an order is to be executed at said station.

As trainmen frequently have orders to execute between stations, such, for instance, as running slowly over a bridge or a certain section of the track, I provide signals 8 as a reminder of said orders. Said signals Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '7, 1917.

8 are arranged oppositethe spaces between the slides 3, and are rotatably-mounted upon a rod 9 extending throughslots 10 in lugs 11 projecting forwardly from the back plate 1. Coil springs 12 interposed between the rod 9 andthe forward ends of the respective slots 10, normally hold the signals 8 flatly against the back plate 1 to preventsaid signals Strom accidentally rotating on theA rod 9. .One side of each signal 3 is, preferably, whiteto indicate clear position, vwhile its opposite side is redy or other suitable color to act as a reminder that an order is to be executed between the two opposite stations. In order to turn a signal 48 to show itsclear or danger positions, it is grasped and pulled forward against the action of the springs 12, until is is far enough in advance of the back plate 1 to enable it to be turned a half revolution, after which it is released to allow the springs 12 to force the rod 9 backward until allV or' the signals 8 again lie i'latly against the back plate 1. When a signal 8 is rotated, as above-described, the ro-d 9 is prevented from rotating therewith and thus rotating the remaining signals by its enlarged rectangular ends 13, Fig. 4, which t against the longitudinal sides of the slots 10.

A device of this character hung up in view of a locomotive engineer, motorman, or other trainmen to notify them that they have verbal or written orders to execute at or between stations, will preventv collisions and other accidents due to overlooking such orders, as the trainmen do not have to trust to memory as heretofore.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, I reserve Vthe right to make such changes in the construction, combination, and arrangement ott parts as properly Jfall within the spirit and scope of the claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: i

1. In a device of the character described, a plurality of members to represent stations and capable of being moved from normal position to indicate that orders are to. be executed at the respective stations, and a plurality of signals opposite the spaces between said members to indicate when orders are to be executed between stations.

2. In a device of the character described, a plurality of members to represent ,Stations and capable of being moved from normal position to indicate that orders are to be executed at the respective stations, signals mounted opposite the spaces between said..

mounted opposite the spaces between said members, and a rod upon which said signals lare rotatably-mounted.

3. In a device of the character described, a plurality of membersv to represent stations and capable of being moved from normal position to indicate that orders are to be executed at the respective stations, signals mounted opposite the spaces'between said members,V a rod upon which saidv signals are rotatably-mounted, supports in Which saidrod has limited lateral movement, andx yielding means to resist said lateral* movement.

4. In deviceo the character described,

a plurality of members to repre-sent stations and capable of being moved from normal position to indicate that orders are to be executed. at. the xrespective stations, signals members. a rod upon which said signals are rotatably-mounted, slotted supports in which said` rod has limited lateral movement7 and springs bearing against said rod and ends of the slots to resist said lateral movement.

In testimony whereof I affix-my signature,

in the presence of tW'o Witnesses.

MICHAEL J. 'SULLIVAN .y

Witnesses:

FRED. C. FISCHER, L. J. FISCHER.

Copies-ofthis patent may be obtained for livev cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

